I typically don't spam forums, but hopefully this will get some answers from people who don't frequent Chit Chat.

Anyone live around/in Medford? The State Police are offering me a job based out of Central Point and today I got a call from the director asking me about the possibility of working and living down there. I've never spent any time in the area, just passed through on my way to else where. What's it like? Someplace you like living or someplace you have to live? I would be coming from the Portland area and kinda feel like I need a big shake up in my life as it''s stagnanted a bit since I got out of college. The other part of me is scared to death of the possibility. I am single, no kids and nothing tieing me down except my family. I love my family and really enjoy the time I spend with them. I usually see my parents a few times a week and even in college I was home probably once a month and emailed daily, were just close.

I am just looking for opinions on the area. If it doesn't go without saying I like being outdoors, like the shooting sports and of course wheeling.

I moved there from the Eugene area for work in 2000, was there for 4 years (lived in Central Point, worked in Medford). We (my wife and I) were nervous also, but we don't regret it for a second, it was some of the best 4 years of my life. We are back in Springfield now (back to family). But southern Oregon is great, up here when they say it will rain today, it rains ALL day. Down there, it rains for 30 minutes and then you're good. I didn't know such a good climate existed in Oregon. Medford and Central Point can get socked in with fog/smog (we lived there during the Biscuit fire and didn't see the sun for 30 days, just a glow), but the surrounding areas don't. Tons of hunting/ fishing/ etc... The Rogue river is great. Can't speak to the single seen, I was married.

i grew up in medford. Great place. As cary 1996cc said there is a ton of fishing hunting hiking camping around there. Loved it. McGrew trail is in grants pass just north of medford on I-5. I moved to eugene for school but used to wheel with some scout guys down there. Also junkyards down there tend to haev some scouts in them so there is another reason to move. Any other questions feel free to pm me.
good luck

Lots of posion oak that a way IIRC. I have a few freinds who live down there. Lots of logging, lots of farm types, not very many million dollar houses. I wouldnt move down there just because I like Mt Hood to damn much, but the idea has crossed my mind a few times to move down into southern oregon.

My wife is from Medford, says she loved it.

Been here 18 years! been in all 50 states....no place is perfect. All my sister-in laws,family all are moving back... warm in the summer and mild in the winter....Central Point Unit has a nice set-up.....you'll like it.....plus your closer to to the Con or Fordyce or ??

Im considering relocating to the Medford area from az been here all my life but Need more trees and beachs and out door life,im in the offroad industry does any one know any big shops up in the area.Also As Far as a bad area Where should i not look? Man i would love to get some input from the locals... other than realestate agents who say ITs all great NO crime NO drugs no salesman LOL...Just want some real opinions..Also what are the Dunes like..as a family we do Glamis alot..and would love to have dunes as a option still!! Any one know if rhinos are street Legal up there? Thanks IN advance Nate:)

I live in Yreka, just over the border in Northern Cal. Its about an hour drive but same area. There is really a shitload to do outside. Rockwheelin' is scarce but tons of forest roads and woods type wheelin'. Like mentioned above, the Rogue river is awesome. The fishing in the area is great and the whitewater rafting possibilities are endless. As far as Medford and Central Point are concerned, they are alright but too big for my taste, not bad though. Ashland gets some good shows once in a while and the Britt in Jacksonville gets good ones as well. Just get down here and hang out for a while. I think you'll dig it.

Thanks For the info Im coming up on wed nite now ROAD TRIP!!!! Any one else in pit would be great especially local off road-fab shops Ill be needing work!! As far as rock wheeling Not really my thing so it sounds perfect!!!:D

My parents are both from Central Point - and my grandparents still live down there.

My parents moved away as fast as they could -- but that was over 30 years ago. The place has changed a ton.

I've spent a ton of time down there 'on vacation' and as a 'tourist.'

The weather is nice -- but they have real winters - I was there over x-mas and it was icy, snowy, 20's.

Now for the part you are not going to like -- coming from Portland you will find no culture, no food, few beers, no women, etc... :flipoff2:

I'd personally never live there as I would go crazy amongst a sea of redneck conservatives (You might be conservative Carl, but you have an education, which makes you a lot different than you think). But you might fit right in :p Just slap an NRA sticker in your window, 'squeeze' into your wranglers, drop in a chew and be on your way.


Yes -- I stereotyped the area pretty bad. But it is not far from the truth. Some people love it, some people hate it.

The other con is it would be 270 miles back to OC -- and that is 270 miles of the most boring freeway around. I've been making that trip 2-4 times a year for as long as I can remember -- if I had the money I'd fly and never drive it again.

AND you've got to wonder why the state is always hiring for Central Point/White City/Medford with all there agencies -- I'd wager it is because everyone leaves and moves somewhere else as soon as they get enough senority to make a transfer... (Saw it all the time when I worked with the State :D ) If it is so great down there why are they all leaving??


OK - OK -- I'm just being selfish and don't want a fellow IH enthusiast to move out of the area....

I'd like to thank everyone for the info. I should clarify that both the North and South stations are offering me jobs, so it's no like if I don't move to Central Point I lose the job. After plenty of thought and weighing my choices I think if I get a choice I'll most likely stay where I am at. I want to get on with my life, buy a house and stop renting. Moving south getting into a new place to rent and paying out all the money associated with that is going to do nothing more then set me back quite a bit from my overall goal. I've got things pretty good up here as far as friends and family go and really don't want to lose that.

South is still a possibility, in fact I am headed down there on Thursday for a job interview. I don't want to burn any bridges yet. Thanks again all for the info.

k IM sore JUST did 2500 miles To see Medford,Central point etc,....Road trip 4 days there and back Thought it was kinda cool!!! Seemed like everyone was really Friendly!! Some thing im not used to for a big city!! The Super 8 motel with the water slide was hella cool!! I must say i was a little let down in some ways but surprised in others!! Love the location Minutes from anything outdoors!! Grants Pass I heard was great Couldn;t agree LESS!! TWEAKER ville IN MY OPINION!!!:D Still Had a great time And met some neat people!! So its not totally out of the question for me !!! Man MUST SAY THAT THE BEST PART OF THE TRIP WAS THE SEQUIOAS of california!!!and southern OR Man its beautiful! just my 2

I have lived in Medford for over 40 years. The places to avoid living are White City, some areas of Phoenix, Talent and West Medford. If your the snobbish type East Medford is the best place to live. Expect the politics and the local police to be somewhat backwoods and with small town attitudes. Summers can be hot, several days over 100 deg. Winters can be wet and cold. We do get snow. Hope this helps.

you ae dead on! Grantspass = Tweekerville! with the lack of police the meth labs are going to be growning. As far as medford goes yea we have tweekers, but east medford is the place to be...im born and raised here in the valley and love it, i tryed moving away but was back within 30days. this is home. The rouge river is great Salmon/Steelhead fishing is the best. (Last 2 years have been bad 11K returning ;-( ) plenty of lakes/ponds and can be in the woods inless the 20min in most cases.
Cops here arnt to bad, But OSP and the sheriffs are by far the best. down to earth people .
Anywasy if you do move down here let me know, we'll trow back a few beers and turn some wrenches!

To add a little closure to this thread. Today I start my new job with OSP at the North Station in Salem. Thanks for all the info all!!